Getting Started -- The Internet

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History of the Internet

Though it looked nothing like we know it to look today, the concept of the internet came about in the 1960s and was developed by a man named J.C.R. Licklider. The development of the personal computer in the 1980s helped the idea of the internet to flourish. By 1985 electronic mail was being used by numerous systems that were able to communicate with each other. While originally created largely as a means of file sharing and remote logins, the internet has expanded into the world wide web and allowed more than its creators ever could have imagined. source

Methods of Communication

1. Social Networking: Social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest have exploded in popularity in recent years. Thanks to the internet, sites like these allow people to connect with those who share their interests from all over the world. Communication is done instantly, in real time, allowing people to form relationships much as they would if they were face to face. People are able to share news and events faster than ever. source

2. Email: Electronic mail allows us to connect with others and share information much faster than the traditional stamp and envelope method. Email may contain attachments such as photos or other files in addition to the text in the body of the email. The very first email was sent in 1971 and by 1996 email was being used more than the postal service. source

3. Wikis and Blogs: Wikis and blogs are another way to share information online. A wiki is typically considered a collaborative effort where multiple parties are able to contribute and update information. They are great for group projects or open sources of information. A blog, or web log, tends to be a more personal way to share information and is typically managed by a single person. Blogs can contain various media such as pictures or video and tend to be fairly interactive in nature. source

4: Podcasts and webcasts: A podcast is typically an audio file that is available via download to users, but it can also include video. They generally tell a story or express a personal view on a subject. These days you can often download an app for your smart phone to connect to your favorite podcasts. A webcast differs from a podcast in that it typically includes a live audience. A webcast tends to be interactive and engages the participants more so than a pre-recorded podcast. source

 5. Streaming media: Streaming media allows a user to access a large amount of data without having to wait for it to download in its entirety. This is handy for accessing large files such as movies or television programs that are accessed via the internet. When streaming, you are able to access the content immediately instead of waiting for the download to complete. source

E-commerce and m-commerce

E-commerce is the process by which we buy and sell goods over the internet. M-commerce has expanded this into giving us the ability to obtain these same services over our mobile devices. Both of these things have revolutionized the way we do business today. Gone are the days when you needed to find a specialized store in your area, because now you have everything at your fingertips and it can be shipped to you and on your doorstep the very next day. Many online merchants now have mobile-friendly sites, which makes m-commerce more appealing than ever. source

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